Latest news with #NaraChandrababuNaidu
New Indian Express
8 hours ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
APTDC signs MoUs worth Rs 10.3k crore at tourism conclave
VIJAYAWADA: In a significant boost to the tourism sector, the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) signed 82 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) for investments amounting to Rs 10,329 crore during the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Conclave Tech AI 2.0. The MoUs, signed in the presence of Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu, span wellness, eco-tourism, caravan tourism, hospitality infrastructure, homestays, and digital solutions. Launching the AP Tourism Digital Calendar, the Chief Minister said the investments reflect restored confidence in the State's governance and vision. 'Tourism is not just an economic activity; it is a tool for empowerment, employment, and environment-friendly development,' he said. Tourism Minister Kandula Durgesh said the partnerships align with the 2024–29 Tourism Policy, which grants industrial status to the sector. The policy offers 100% stamp duty exemption, electricity duty reimbursement, SGST incentives, and fast-tracked approvals. The MoUs include plans for luxury resorts, spiritual circuits, heritage restoration, medical and wellness tourism. APTDC MD Amrapali Kata said real-time dashboards will monitor project milestones and investor facilitation to ensure transparency and accountability. GFST Director Ch Kutumba Rao and Vice Chairman SP Tucker said the State is poised to lead in tourism-driven development.
New Indian Express
8 hours ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Star Hotels Association submits reforms wishlist to CM Chandrababu Naidu
VIJAYAWADA: As part of the Tourism Tech AI 2.0 Conclave, representatives of the Andhra Pradesh Star Hotels Association met Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu and submitted key proposals to strengthen the tourism sector. The delegation included prominent hospitality leaders such as Prabhu Kishore (Novotel Varun Group), Gokaraju Ganga Raju (Lemon Tree Premier), Rajaiah (Taj Vivanta), Muttavarapu Murali Krishna (Fortune Murali Park), and Sharan Vallur (GRT Grand), along with Association President RV Swamy, General Secretary S Murthy Chitturi, and Vice President Venkat. In the presence of Tourism Minister Kandula Durgesh, Special Chief Secretary (Tourism) Ajay Jain, APTDC Chairman Nukasani Balaj, and APTDC MD Amrapali Kata, the delegation urged the government to extend industrial status benefits—such as concessions on electricity, water, and property tax—to all existing star hotels, not just new ones. While acknowledging that investment subsidies rightly apply to new projects, they sought recurring incentives for all operational hotels to ensure equitable treatment. The hoteliers also appealed for reclassification of star hotels under the green category in environmental clearances, instead of the current orange or red tags, to ease compliance burdens. Naidu and Durgesh assured the stakeholders that their suggestions would be reviewed carefully.
Hans India
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Narayana accuses previous YSRCP govt of neglecting Nellore development
Nellore: Minister of Municipal Administration and Urban Development Ponguru Narayana has alleged that previous YSRCP government negleted the Nellore city development only because of political reasons. Addressing after inaugurating the municipal park developed with Rs 50 lakh at NTR Nagar in the 27th division here on Friday, the Minister recalled that when he was the Municipal Administration Minister in 2014, the government had sanctioned two major schemes like supply of drinking water from Sangam Barrage to Nellore city and Under Ground Drainage(UGD) each estimated to cost Rs 550 crore. e alleged that after coming to power in 2019 elections, the YSRCP government totally stalled the Sangam Barrage works, while abruptly stopped the UGD works which were completed 80 per cent by the previous TDP government just for political reasons. The Minister said that these two projects would be completed in a war-footing manner as Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu has assured to release the funds very soon. The Minister said that it was proposed to establish 50 parks as part of beautification of Nellore city in a phased manner. While 30 have already been completed, remaining are under progress. The Minister said that it was decided to provide mineral water for 30,000 families each family getting 20 litres at a cost of Rs 2 per litre every day. The project is nearing completion. While asserting NDA government's commitment on providing corporate education to the poor students, Narayana said that following the directions of Human Resources Development Minister Nara Lokesh, it was decided to transform all 54 municipal schools like VR High School in the city. Later, the Minister inaugurated the sweeping machine set up at a cost of Rs 1.28 crores at Stone House Pet area in 7th division in the city. He said that already 28 sweeping machines are working in the interest of transforming Nellore into a dust-free city. Nellore Municipal Commissioner Y O Nandan, former nellore municipal commissioner Tallapaka Anuradha and local TDP leaders were present.
Hans India
12 hours ago
- Business
- Hans India
Naidu unveils vision to turn AP into global tourism hub
Vijayawada: Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu on Friday unveiled an ambitious vision to position Andhra Pradesh as a global destination of tourism, emphasising its role as an engine for economic growth, employment generation, and cultural promotion. Addressing industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders at a tourism conclave here, the Chief Minister said his goal is to make Andhra Pradesh a wealthy, healthy, and happy state. "Andhra Pradesh will be the future destination for wellness and happiness. My goal is a wealthy, healthy, happy Andhra Pradesh - that is the goal I have set," he said. He extended a special invitation to Baba Ramdev, who attended the conclave as the special guest, to serve as a spiritual guide and advisor, urging him to actively promote wellness tourism in the state. Observing that one in every ten jobs created globally comes from the tourism sector, Naidu said it generates eight jobs for every Rs 1 lakh invested, more than sectors like IT, manufacturing, and agriculture. Naidu outlined plans to grow the sector's employment share from 12 per cent to 15 per cent and increase its contribution to the state's Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) from Rs 74,000 crore to Rs 2.4 lakh crore by 2029. From the 19,500 hotel rooms currently available in the state, Naidu said the target is to scale up to 50,000 rooms in the next four years. Naidu also spoke about the inclusive Homestay Policy, which aims at establishing over 10,000 homestays across tribal, rural, coastal, and heritage regions. The government is actively developing seven tourism anchor hubs: Visakhapatnam, Araku, Rajahmundry, Amaravati, Srisailam, Gandikota, and Tirupati. Additionally, over 25 thematic circuits are planned, including 10 temple circuits, five coastal routes, four river routes, two cruises, two Buddhist circuits, and three eco-tourism trails, he added. Dispelling the notion that tourism investment is exclusive to the wealthy, the Chief Minister presented the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Policy 2024–29 as a 'game changer'. Tourism has now been granted industry status across all segments, he pointed out. Ajay Jain, Special Chief Secretary, Youth Advancement, Tourism and Culture Department, also spoke. Amrapali Kata, Managing Director, AP Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC), unveiled a tourism growth dashboard for real-time performance monitoring. On the occasion, the Chief Minister launched Andhra Pradesh's Tourism Digital Calendar, along with a new brochure, strategy paper, and the annual tourism event schedule. APTDC also signed memoranda of understanding (MoUs) worth Rs 10,329 crore in the Chief Minister's presence. Naidu also officially flagged off the state's Caravan Tourism initiative. This new programme offers modern, mobile travel solutions for families and groups, designed to boost tourism in lesser-known destinations, create employment opportunities, and support sustainable regional development.
The Hindu
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
A.P. Police will make extensive use of AI for crime detection, prevention, says Naidu
The Andhra Pradesh Police will make extensive use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in enforcing law and order, prevent crimes, establish evidence, and reduce investigation time, Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu has said. Addressing a large gathering of senior IPS officers, students, and representatives from AI developing companies during 'AI 4 Andhra Police Hackathon' of the A.P. Police Department held at RVR&JC College, Guntur, on Friday, Mr. Naidu said it was the first-of-its-kind initiative in the country. He said 160 institutions applied for participation, out of which only 60 were selected for the hackathon. Based on use cases, the department would adopt new technology, to complement the existing drone surveillance, CCTV cameras, realtime governance and other initiatives, the Chief Minister said, adding development is possible only by ensuring law and order, and warned that there is no space for criminals in the State. 'We are going to show the strength of Telugu people to the world through AI and Quantum Valley,' Mr. Naidu said. Stating that Andhra's WhatsApp Governance is based on AI technology, he said all certificates will be issued on the platform from coming August. ''We are at the beginning of AI era, and students must focus on startup ideas,'' Mr. Naidu said. Referring to fears over loss of employment due to AI, the Chief Minister said there would be lot of opportunities for students in this technology. He suggested that RVR&JC management ensure hundred per cent placements while encouraging 30% of the students to develop startups. Citing former MP Y.S. Vivekananda Reddy murder case, he said that Google Takeout helped in establishing evidence, highlighting the adoption of technology by the police in investigation. Calling the Chief Minister a visionary who has been transforming governance by taking advantage of advanced technology, Union Minister of State for Rural Development Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar said Quantum Valley in Amaravati is going to be a reality in the near future. He said the Chief Minister introduced many e-governance initiatives in the past and is now focusing on AI and Quantum Technology. Mr. Naidu transformed Hyderabad into an IT hub and has now set his sights on turning Amaravati into a Quantum Valley, Mr. Pemmasani added. The Home Minister, Vangalapudi Anitha, said it is for the first time that a hackathon has been organised by the police in the country. DGP Harish Kumar Gupta said the initiative will help reimagine the future of law enforcement through Generative AI and Agentic AI. More than 30 IPS officers closely worked with knowledge partner 4SightAI to identify and refine the most pressing challenges in policing. As a result, eight real-world, high-impact use cases were developed for direct deployment.
